Design Constraints

Design is not an open field. It has many constraints.

An engineer has to carefully understand these
constraints and work out a design that fits the
situation.
This at times puts a break on creativity. Such
challenges are there in all designs.
One major constraint in engineering, is the
regulatory frame work.
 Design Constraints
Constraint is a restriction on design, in many fronts.
They could be on some of the features or attributes
of the design.
Many a time these constrains can be considered as
“yes” or “no’ types.
Examples:
Should a design work at high temperature?
Should the product be portable?
Should it meet the environmental regulations?
 Design Constraints

Note that Design objectives and Constraints are

related, but different.
Objectives allows us to have wider choices.
(Wider Design Space)
Constraints limit the choices in design.
(Drill weight not to exceed 1.5kg - Reduced Design
Space)
 Effect of Constraints

Better Designs
Constraint
Limits
Design
Changes

Design Changes
 Functional Constraints
• Overall Geometry – size, width, space, arrangement
• Motion of parts – type, direction, velocities, acceleration,
kinematics
• Forces involved – load direction, magnitude, load, impact
• Energy needed
• Materials to be used – flow, transport, properties
• Control system – electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic
• Information flow – inputs, outputs, form, display
 Safety Constraints
• Operational – direct, indirect, hazard elimination
• Human – warnings, training
• Environmental – land, sea, air, noise, light, radiation,
reaction, transport
 Quality Constraints
• Quality assurance – regulations, standards, codes
• Quality control – inspection, testing, labeling
• Reliability – design life, failures, statistics
 Manufacturing Constraints
• Production of components – factory limitations, means of
production, wastes
• Purchase of components – supplier quality, reliability,
quality control, inspection
• Assembly – installation, foundations, bolting, welding
• Transport – material handling, clearance, packaging
 Timing Constraints
• Design schedule – project planning, project control
• Development schedule – design detailing, compliance tests
• Production schedule – manufacture, assembly, packing,
transport
• Delivery schedule – delivery date, distribution network,
supply chains
 Economic Constraints
• Marketing analysis – size of market, distribution, market segments
• Design costs – design team computing, information retrieval
• Development costs – design detailing, supplier costs, testing costs
• Manufacturing cost - tooling, labor, overhead, assembly, inspection
• Distribution costs - packing, transport, service centers, spare parts,
warranty
• Resources – time, budget, labor, capital, machines, material

$
 Ergonomic Constraints
• User needs – type of operation, instructions, warnings
• Ergonomic design – man-machine relationships,
operation, height, layout, comfort, lighting
 Ecological Constraints
• General environmental impact – impact on natural
resources, social resources
• Sustainability – political and commercial consequences,
implications for following generations
• Material selection –solid, liquid, gas, stability, protection,
toxicity
• Working fluid selection – fluid, gas, flammability, toxicity
 Aesthetic Constraints
• Customer appeal – shape, color, texture, form, feel, smell,
surprise and delight features
• Fashion – culture, history, trends
• Future expectations – rate of change in technology, trends,
product families
 Life-Cycle Constraints
• Distribution – means of transport, nature and conditions of
dispatch, rules, regulations
• Operation – quietness, wear, special uses, working
environments
• Maintenance – servicing intervals, inspection, exchange and
repair, cleaning, diagnostics
• Disposal – recycle, scrap
 Legal/Ethical Constraints
• Regulations – OSHA, FAA, FDA
• Ethics – public safety, health, welfare and integrity
• Intellectual Property – patents, trademarks, copyrights
 Summary

• Think about CONSTRAINTS

• Plan for them

• Put them into the design

 Its activity time……..

• Can you think of the design constraints

involved in the following products.
1. Note book
2. Mobile phone